Multiple switch



Aug. 15, 1939. w J. SPEQGLER 2,169,819

MULTIPLE SWITCH Filed Sept. 29, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY WW5; v TORNEY Aug. 15, w J. SPENGLER 2,169,819

MULTIPLE SWITCH ed Sept. 29, 1934 o 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ",3 4 {Z w 2 14 56 ll unm hm 3 3 l \Imv l $7 ,4 n N nan l; @J'L g 1 -ml! i! //v VENTQR BY wade/"J3 J/Uiiness: I @WW -W ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1939.. w J G R 2,169,819

MULTIPLE SWITCH Filed Sept. 29, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR r] TTORNE) Patented its. 15, me

* UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE a 3 Claims. (01. zoo-1 s) .l'he present invention relates to a multiple switch and more particularly to a compound ignition switch for'selective .or simultaneous conand reliable in operation while being light and rality of engines, and for simultaneously rendercompact in construction.

' Another object is to provide such a device which embodies elements for selectively utilizing a plurality ofignition devices for each of a pluing all of sald'devices inoperative at the will of the operator.

Another object is to provide. such a device which is tightly sealed and emciently shielded against radio interference.

A further-object isto provide such a device in which the shielding is readily removable for inspection or adjustment of the switch without disturbing the wiring harness.

Another object is toprov i de such a device in which the movable switch contacts are pro-tensioned so as to insure effective engagement with the stationary contacts.

Another object is to provide such a device which is so designed as to insure proper assembly of the various units, improper assembly being impossible.

Further objects'and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in'connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment of. the device taken substantially on the line l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken substantially on the line 2-4 of Fig. 1 and showing the switch units in closed or oil position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the switch unit for the center engine in off position and the common grounding switch-also in oil position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the center switch unit in position to render operative the right magneto and the booster magneto;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the switch unit A for the center enginein position to utilize the left magneto and the booster magneto, the central common ground switch being open;

Fig. 6 is' a similar view showing. the switch unit each engine.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the inner side of the terminal block showing the arrangement of the fixed contacts thereon;

Referring first toFig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the present embodiment of the inventioh comprises a face plate I of suitable material such as cast aluminum having suitable indicia engraved on the outer face thereof or on a name plate I! suitably afilxed thereto. Posts '2 are formed on or suitably fixed to the inner side of the face plate, arranged to support a terminal' block 3 in spaced relation thereto. Between the faceplate and terminal block a plurality of switch units are mounted, there being here illustrated three such units which are adapted to I control respectively the right, center and left engines of a tri-motor power plant.

It will be understood that each engine is provided with two service magnetos and a booster magneto for starting purposes, and each switch unit is intended to render all the magnetos inoperative when in the on position, or to permit the use of either or both service magnetos as desired by. the operator, as well as rendering the booster magneto operative in all positions of the switch except the off position. Since the three switch units are identical, a description of one 'thereof will suflice. It will be understood that ,the magnetos are .rendered inoperative by grounding the primary circuits thereof in the usual and well known manner, so that it is deemed unnecessary to. illustrate the magnetos and their circuits inasmuch as these are assumed to be of standard construction.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, it will be seen that the terminal block 3 is provided on its outer side with arcuately arranged groups of terminals 4, 5 and 6 for the left, the booster and the right magnetos respectively of These terminals extend through the terminal block, and provide fixed contacts 1,

8 and 9 respectively which'contacts extend a suitable distance toward the face plate I for engagement by the movable contacts of the switch 'unit. An operating shaft It provided with suitable manual operating means- I! is mounted in the face plate I opposite each group of fixed contacts. Resilient contact members It and H are mounted on the operating shaft il in predetermined angular relation thereto as by means of cooperating D sections l5, l6 and I1 thereof respectively, the contacts being held in assembled position as by means of a nut l8 threaded on the shaft ll. Contact member I! is provided with four arms i8, 2|, 2! and 23 respeotivelyforfen:

- gagement with fixed contacts 1 and 9 of the .left

and right service magnetos, while contact member 14 is formed for engagement with fixed contact 8 of the booster magneto. Contact arms B9,

' rounds the contact member i3 and places the arms thereof under initial stress. Contact it tends to contract inwardly toward the axis of the shaft ll and is maintained in position to engage the fixed contact 8 by means ofan annular wall 25 (Fig. 8) formed on the inner side of the terminal block 3. a

The switch unit is arranged to occupy four operative positions which positions are defined by a detent and stop plate 28 keyed on the shaft I l by means of the D section opening 21, and having stop lugs 28 and 29 adapted to engage the sides 30 and 3| of the bearing boss 32 in which shaft l i is mounted. The plate 26 is also provided with four tapered openings 33, 34, 35 and 36 arranged to be engaged successively by a detent ball 31 received'in an'opening 38 in the bearing boss 32, and pressed outwardly therefrom by suitable means such as a spring 39 whereby the switch unit is yieldably retained in its various operative positions.

an Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 of the, drawings, it

willbe seen that when the switch unit is in its off position, the contact arm 22 engages the fixed contact 1 of the left magneto, the contact arm l9 engages the fixed contact 9 of the right magneto .and the contact l4 engages the fixedcontact 8 of the booster magneto. Since contacts 13 and I4 are grounded to the body of the switch, which is of course in metallic contact with the frame of the vehicle, it will be seen that the primary circuits of all the magnetos are grounded and the magnetos thereby rendered inoperative.

In Fig. 4 the switch unit of the center engine ,has been moved to position marked R on the name plate ill, to energize the right service magneto andthe booster magneto; It will be seen that this is brought about by the fact that whereas the "contactarm 23 now engages the fixed contact i of the left magneto, the contact arm I9 is disen- J gaged from the fixed contact 9, and the contact I4 is disengaged from the fixed contact 8 whereby the right service magneto and the booster magneto arerendered operative.

. In Fig. this switch unit has been moved to the next position, marked L, on the name plate, in which contact arm 2| engages the fixed contact 9 of the right magneto, and contact arm 23 is disengaged from the fixed contact I of the left magnetcwhereby the left magneto and the booster magneto are operative.

"in Fig. 6 the switch unit has been moved to its final position marked both on the name plate in which contact arm 2| is disengaged from fixed contact 8 so that none of the fixed contacts I, 8

- and 9 are grounded whereby all the magnetos are operative.

In case of emergency it is sometimes desira- I, ble to quickly render all magnetos of all engines I this purpose each inoperative in order to avoid fire hazard, etc. For

of the fixed contacts 1, 8 and 9 of all the groups of contacts is provided with a resilient contact 4|, 42 and 43 respectively (Fig.

8) all oi which resilient contacts extend radially inward toward the axis of the switch, inasingle transverse plane as defined by the annular surface 44 of the terminal plate 3, the ends of said arsenic central bearing boss d! of the face plate I and is provided at its outer end with suitable manual operating means 48 and at its inner end with a contact disc 69 suitably fixed thereto as by means of a nut H in position to be brought into simultaneous engagement with all the resilient contacts 4 I, 42, 43 when the shaft 46 is pulled outward by the handle 48. Suitable means in the form of a yielding detent 52 (Fig. 2) is provided in the bearing boss 41 for engaging recessed portions 53 and 54 of shaft 46 to yieldingly retain said shaft in its operative and inoperative positions respectively.

The terminal block 3 is fixed to the supporting posts 2 by suitable means such as studs 55 threaded in said posts and provided with hexagonal enlarged sections it extending beyond said terminal block. An end plate and cableattachment member 51 isarranged to-be mounted on reduced end portions 58 of the studs 55 and is provided with a tapered throat 60 for receiving the end of a conductor cable. Suitable clamping means such as a gland nut 59 is provided for clamping the sheath SI of the cable harness to the anchoring plate 51 The face plate i and terminal block 3 are preferably of circular shape as illustrated, and a casing member 62 in the form of a cylindrical cup is provided for completely enclosing and shielding the switch. Casing member 62 has an aperture in its bottom large enough to pass over the nut 59, and is formed to closely fit the end plate 57 as illustrated at 63.. As here shown the face plate I is provided with an annular shoulder 64 fitting the rim of the casing member 62, suitable packing material 65 being provided in the face plate in order to insure a tight joint. Packing material 66 may also be provided if desired in the end plate 51 to assist in sealing the casing. End plate 51 and casing member 62 are retained in position as by means of nuts 61 on the studs 55.

It will be noted that since the opening in the casing member 62 is large enough to pass over the clamping nut 59, it is merely necessary in order to inspect or service the switch that the nuts 61 be removed whereupon the casing member 62 may he slid back along the cable harness ti whereupon the entire switch is fully exposed. It will further be noted that by reason of the arcuate location of the terminals in the terminal plate, these may be readily inspected and adjusted when the casing is removed.

In order to insure that the terminal block 3 and the end plate 5'! be always assembled in proper angular relation to sponding engine units into registry, the ports 2 of the face plate I are spaced slightly unsymbring the corre- V metrically about the axis of the switch instead of 48 is in its normal position. when it is desired to render all ignition systems inoperative, it is merely necessary to pull out the master switch handle whereupon all the magnetos are simul- 76 i from the spirit of the invention as defined in taneously grounded and all the engines thereby rendered inoperative.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the design and location of the parts of the device as illustrated Without departing the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple ignition switch for internal com bustion engines comprising a circular face plate,

a pluralityof groups of axially extending contact members rotatably mounted in said face plate, a terminal block mounted in spaced relation to said face plate, groups of fixed contacts mounted on the inner side of the'terminal block extending into the paths of said rotatable contact members, arcuately arranged groups of terminals on the outer face of said terminal block electrically connected to said fixed contacts, an end plate centrally apertured for the reception of a cable harness, mounted in spacedrelation to the terminal block, means on said end plate for anchoring a cable thereon, and a casing member in the form of'a'cu'p apertured and formed to fit over and seal against said face plate and end plate and completely enclose the switch, the aperture in the casing member being plate, a plurality of contact members rotatably supported by said plate,,a terminal block mounted aperture therein, means for connecting a cable harness to' said end plate in registry with said aperture, and a cup-like casing member formed to engage said face and end plates and completely enclose said contact members, fixed contacts and terminals, said casing member having an aperture therein sufncientlylarge to enable the removal thereof without disconnecting the cable harness.

3. Anignition switch comprising a face plate, an

end plate mounted in spaced relation to said face plate, said end plate having an aperture therein, means for connecting a cable harness to said end plate in registry with said aperture, means mounted between said plates including a movable contact, a fixed contact adapted to beengaged by said movable contact and a terminal electrically connected to said fixed contact, and a cuplike casing member formed toengage said face and end plates and completely enclose said contacts and terminal, said casing member having an aperture therein sufficiently large to enable the removal thereof without disconnecting the cable harness. l

' WALTER J. SPENGIER. 

